EXPD Expeditors International of Washington Inc

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPD), the international logistics company today announced the promotion of both Eugene K. Alger and Philip M. Coughlin to the office of Executive Vice President-North America. Previously, Mr. Alger and Mr. Coughlin both served as Senior Vice-President-North America. Mr. Alger is responsible for the company�s offices in the western United States and Mexico while Mr. Coughlin oversees the Company�s offices in the eastern United States and Canada. �Throughout my extended career in this business, I can�t think of two people more deserving of this recognition than Phil and Gene,� said Robert L. Villanueva, Expeditors� President-The Americas. �Both of these gentlemen are the consummate example of what distinguishes Expeditors as a Company of unlimited opportunity. As the Company grew and expanded, they each grew and developed, not only themselves, but those whom they hired and mentored. Each has his own unique management style, but both have had a profound influence not only on our North American operations, but on our entire Company.� �Gene started as a �runner�, the basic entry level in this organization, in our San Francisco office in 1981, and after becoming a licensed customs broker, founded our Los Angeles office in 1982. Under his leadership, the Los Angeles office rapidly grew to become one of the key cornerstone offices in the Company and remains so today. In addition to eventually overseeing the entire western United States, ever the pioneer, Gene established the Company�s presence in Mexico, opening the Mexico City office in 1995. Thirteen years later, thanks to Gene�s labors, we have ten profitable and thriving offices in Mexico with four more offices on the U.S. side of the border that wouldn�t be here today without Gene�s vision,� Mr. Villanueva went on to say. �Phil joined the Chicago office in 1985 as the air import breakbulk supervisor while finishing his law degree. In the midst of his last semesters� final exams, he was dispatched to Boston to take over a crisis-ridden office the Company had acquired in one of its very few acquisitions. Phil restructured the office, hired and trained new managers while turning Boston into one of Expeditors� most innovative and exemplary offices. As a reward, while keeping the Boston office on track, he was given the responsibility for the Company�s New York office as well. Phil provided the leadership and hands-on direction that was instrumental in turning what had been a perpetually under-performing office in one of the world�s most challenging markets, into one of Expeditors� finest operations. Along the way, he oversaw the stabilization and expansion of our offices in Canada and numerous once-fledgling offices throughout the eastern United States. In 2004, Phil was given responsibility for Tradewin, the Company�s logistics consulting division. Once again Phil�s vision and leadership transformed a struggling operation into a focused, respected and contributing business unit. Where words alone are not adequate to properly express the degree of accomplishment, the unwavering respect and admiration of their peers will have to suffice,� concluded Mr. Villanueva. Expeditors is a global logistics company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company employs trained professionals in 175 full service offices, 68 satellite locations and 4 international service centers located on six continents linked into a seamless worldwide network through an integrated information management system. Services include air and ocean freight forwarding, vendor consolidation, customs clearance, marine insurance, distribution and other value added international logistics services.